Home Blog Page 779

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport Confirms Report About Incident Involving Jordan Schultz

BSM Staff
-
0
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport Confirms Report About Incident Involving Jordan Schultz

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport has confirmed Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk’s report detailing an incident involving FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz and himself. Rapoport appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN Thursday, where he verified Florio’s account while NFL Network colleagues Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah were being interviewed on the show.

According to Florio, the incident took place at a Starbucks inside the JW Marriott hotel in Indianapolis. The report states that Schultz “verbally accosted” Rapoport while the NFL Network insider was in line, engaged in a conversation with another individual.

PFT reports that Schultz approached Rapoport and said, “We need to talk.” When Rapoport declined, Schultz allegedly responded, “If you have anything to say to me, say it to my f*****g face.” The incident was subsequently reported to NFL Security, which has since interviewed several witnesses. A league spokesperson told PFT on Thursday morning that NFL security personnel are looking into the verbal altercation between Schultz and Rapoport.

During his brief appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rapoport acknowledged the reports of the incident.

“Last night, when it all broke, everyone in the world texted me wanting to know details,” Rapoport said. “It’s all out there. Mike Florio basically wrote the whole thing, so there’s not much to add. Then I woke up this morning, and everyone in the world has texted me.”

When asked by McAfee whether the two individuals would find time to ‘shake hands’ before the end of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Rapoport declined to comment.

As of now, Jordan Schultz has yet to make any public statement regarding the incident. There is currently no word on whether any further action or disciplinary measures will be taken against Rapoport or Schultz by their respective employers. While the NFL has no direct authority over either individual, the league could review the situation and determine whether any credentialing or access-related measures should be considered for future events.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

The Radio Industry is Conflicted On Whether Westwood One is Still Committed to News/Talk Radio Format

BNM Staff
-
0
The Radio Industry is Conflicted On Whether Westwood One is Still Committed to News/Talk Radio Format

The term “season of change” has become a frequently used phrase. Right now, Westwood One is certainly in a “season of change,” which has led some in the news/talk radio industry to question if the company is still committed to the format.

In the past three months alone, Westwood One has seen drastic changes both on-air and in behind-the-scenes leadership roles.

At the conclusion of 2024, the relationship between The Daily Wire and Westwood One ended. That partnership had provided one-hour shows from the conservative digital outlet hosted by co-founder Ben Shapiro, as well as Michael Knowles and Matt Walsh. That left stations that carried the shows looking for programming with not much advanced notice.

In January, longtime Westwood One Vice President of News/Talk Programming Kevin DeLany retired. The company has yet to announce a replacement.

Most recently, Dan Bongino announced he would end his popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show to join the Donald Trump administration as Deputy Director of the FBI. The Dan Bongino Show airs on more than 350 stations across the country. Additionally, his podcast routinely finishes as one of the top five most-listened-to programs in the nation.

With Bongino’s exit, there now rests a large hole in the daily lineup and offerings from Westwood One. His departure has led to questions from those inside the news/talk radio format about whether the company remains committed to the genre. Barrett Media reached out to several figures both inside and outside Cumulus Media — parent company of Westwood One — to gauge their perspective on the topic. Each participant was granted anonymity to speak more freely on the subject.

On one hand, some believe the company is absolutely committed to being a player in the news/talk radio space.

“I think, more than anything, they’re just going through a tough stretch right now,” one Program Director told Barrett Media. “That’s a lot of adversity to face at one time. Not having a replacement for Kevin (DeLany) doesn’t mean they’re getting out of the game.”

“Bongino leaving is a problem,” another news/talk radio brand leader stated. “Mark Levin is still a fire-breather, but that’s from 6-9 PM. Not having a superstar between Noon and 3 PM is a problem. Rush (Limbaugh) was such a force at that time, it’s still a major time for listeners. They need a star to replace Dan, full stop. Someone who can carry hundreds of affiliates and a big bulk of the ad revenue. But are they going to just drop Brian Kilmeade? Guy Benson? The Fox News deal? Doubtful. Westwood (One) isn’t going anywhere.”

“Like any other company, there are difficult situations that we have to navigate,” a Cumulus Media employee told Barrett Media. “But the commitment to providing top-of-the-line news and talk radio content remains and will always be there, I think.”

After announcing he would be joining the FBI, Dan Bongino shared that his wife, Paula, will lead a new media company that is devoid of his participation to assuage any ethics concerns. As part of his announcement, he revealed that the company was in negotiations with a guest host to helm the program in his absence.

Those both close to the situation and outside of the Cumulus Media and Westwood One sphere alluded to the same person potentially replacing Dan Bongino in the 12-3 PM ET timeslot. Barrett Media has not officially confirmed the name of the talent that is in active negotiations to replace Bongino within the Westwood One lineup.

Others inside the industry remain skeptical that Westwood One is committed to the format.

“How do you think it’s anything other than over for them?” one news/talk radio programmer said. “They have some ingredients to work with but haven’t ever put it all together. Ben Shapiro was a draw. Dan Bongino was a draw. If they’re gone, I don’t know what the draw is — for stations or for advertisers — other than Mark Levin.”

“Premiere Networks has invested into new shows,” a major market brand leader shared, noting the additions of hosts like Michael Berry and Michael DelGiorno to the offerings from the syndicator. “Others are adding, too. Radio America. Compass (Media Networks). Salem, even. All the news (about Westwood One) has been negative for too long.”

When asked if there was an executive, host, or partnership that could turn the tide for the company in their eyes, the programmer said it wasn’t likely. “I’m not sure who could turn it around,” they concluded.

One prominent executive suggested rebuilding the network from within. “Westwood One has an opportunity to reshape itself. The key question is whether or not their executive team wants to. It’s known that they don’t like conservative talk.”

The executive continued, “They have talent like Vince Coglianese, John Phillips, and Pete Mundo right under their noses, who have years ahead of them, and an ability to offer insight from the nation’s capitol, Los Angeles, and the middle of the country. They may not be big names today, but they could be tomorrow. The alternative is to bend the knee to The Daily Wire or hire someone who’s been part of that brand such as Candace Owens or Steven Crowder or make a run at a younger star like Charlie Kirk (under contract with Salem). Unless they’re going to go that route and spend a fortune, why not promote from within?”

Another news/talk radio leader stated that they won’t pass judgment on the topic one way or another until a replacement for Kevin DeLany is announced. They added, however, that if the company doesn’t view having a Vice President of News & Talk Programming as a major priority, “that will tell you everything you need to know about how they see the future.”

According to a few with knowledge of network partnerships, The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, The Erick Erickson Show, and Radio America’s programs have either added or are set to begin airing on stations previously occupied by Dan Bongino in mid-March.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Joy Taylor Absent from ‘Speak’ Due to Being ‘Sidelined’ by FS1: Report

BSM Staff
-
0
Joy Taylor Absent from ‘Speak’ Due to Being ‘Sidelined’ by FS1: Report

Throughout the week, Joy Taylor has been absent from the FS1 afternoon program, Speak, upon reportedly being “sidelined” by the network. The rationale for this reported decision is currently unknown, according to a story from Ryan Glasspiegel and Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, and the show did not go beyond alerting viewers that Taylor was absent. The report added that Taylor has been in Los Angeles since she has returned from vacation, recently attending the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Taylor was named in a lawsuit filed in early January by former FOX Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji that also included Skip Bayless and Charlie Dixon as defendants. Within the 42-page legal filing, Faraji alleged that Taylor had caused a hostile work environment through discriminating against her on the basis of race/national origin and disability. Faraji also alleged that upon Dixon engaging in “unsolicited touching,” Taylor informed her to “get over it” and added that he was the reason why Faraji had her job.

Taylor and Bayless denied the allegations that were made against them, and attorneys from FOX Corporation have asked for the full dismissal of the case. A spokeswoman for Taylor issued a statement to The Athletic articulating that the claims were “devoid of merit and appear to have been strategically flamed to create unwarranted publicity rather than to seek legitimate redress.”

Taylor has been a member of FOX Sports since 2016, previously serving as the moderator of Undisputed and co-host of The Herd. The afternoon program, Speak, expanded to two hours last summer before the network announced alterations to its show lineup, debuting two new morning programs in Breakfast Ball and The Facility. FS1 currently airs its programs from New York City and Los Angeles, and it is reportedly nearing a contract extension with Colin Cowherd where he would continue hosting his show and move to Chicago.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

John Skipper Doesn’t Believe MLB Will Get $600 Million From a ‘Single Entity in the Market’

BSM Staff
-
0
John Skipper Doesn’t Believe MLB Will Get $600 Million From a ‘Single Entity in the Market’

ESPN and Major League Baseball recently exercised a mutual opt-out in their seven-year media rights contract that will result in the termination of the deal following this season, which reportedly has a total value of approximately $550 million over the full term. John Skipper, the former president of ESPN, discussed the matter on the latest edition of The Sporting Class podcast having been at the helm for parts of the 35-year relationship between the network and the league. As the MLB on ESPN property enters its final season under the existing pact, there has been speculation as to the future of the rights, along with analysis of a letter MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent to owners obtained by The Athletic.

Conjecturing that ESPN likely wanted the opt-out, Skipper explained that when the company did this deal, it had several negotiations in front of them surrounding various marquee properties, including the NFL, NBA and College Football Playoff. As a result, he assumed that ESPN pushed for an opt-out in the media rights negotiations, a condition he surmised the league would have been fine with due to perceived discontent about how it was being treated.

“My instinct is that ESPN wanted not to go long term because they had other money they were going to have to spend,” Skipper said. “They have to save some money in the current environment, and they wanted the option to save that on baseball, but I do not know that they made the decision before baseball or baseball made the decision before them.”

Skipper acknowledged that the letter written by Manfred sounded like someone who was being served rather than the other way around. Within the note, Manfred stated that the league did not think it would be beneficial for it “to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform” and indicated that it would have at least two potential options to consider in the next few weeks.

David Samson, the former president of the Miami Marlins, subsequently conveyed that he was more than happy to have this letter released and that it pointed out that the owners would be fine in moving away from a partner that was ostensibly not valuing assets in the manner that others will. Pablo Torre, the co-host of the show, followed up by asking Skipper how what Samson said landed with him.

“When I was there, I got more complaining from baseball than anybody else,” Skipper recalled. “I frequently asked, ‘What percentage of the highlights on SportsCenter are baseball?,’ and the answer was never the answer I would have expected given the tone of the, ’Oh, it’s minimal coverage. We’re never on.’ Take a random SportsCenter from baseball season and it is full of baseball highlights, and there was never any direction from me.”

Although he averred that he cannot surmise what the direction has been like since his departure, he mentioned how various on-air personalities frequently discussed the topics. There were also occurrences where he thought why the network had nothing but baseball highlights in the SportsCenter Top 10. Rather than the coverage, Skipper opined that the biggest problem for ESPN will be in obtaining highlights, something where Manfred could then presumably make up some of the lost remuneration.

“I don’t think he’s going to get more than $550 [million] from anybody else, but I would go back and he will get some couple hundred million dollars from ESPN for highlights, so he’s going to add everything together, and it may add up to more,” Skipper said. “I do not believe there is a single entity in the market that is going to pay $600 million for ESPN’s package.”

Samson replied to this assertion by explaining that even if baseball had to work with four different media partners and still received more money in the aggregate, it would be considered a victory for the league. At the same time, he pointed out how ESPN had sought to move select baseball games to ESPN2 and never did anything with ABC , revealing internal memos that would track platforms on which games aired.

Skipper articulated that decisions surrounding programming centered around what rated best and other contractual obligations rather than what the network liked most. In reply to this, Samson reminded Skipper that he had commented on ratings being overemphasized on a recent episode of the show and also claimed how the league is trying to get its product to as many people as possible despite a diminished pay TV penetration rate. Recent data from Nielsen Media Research demonstrates that ESPN and ESPN2 are both in 64.2 million households, down from the peak of 100 million homes in 2011.

“I am denying that ESPN is a declining platform,” Skipper said. “The cable television universe is declining. The overall ESPN platform – I don’t have access to the numbers – but my guess is about as many people watch some version of ESPN as have ever watched it, and the ratings aren’t down nearly as much as the number of households.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

CBS News Names Tom Cibrowski President and Executive Editor

BNM Staff
-
0
CBS News Names Tom Cibrowski President and Executive Editor

CBS News has announced the appointment of Tom Cibrowski as President and Executive Editor of the legacy news brand.

Tom Cibrowski has more than 30 years of experience in journalism and broadcast television. He spent 25 years at ABC News in a variety of roles, including as Senior Vice President of ABC News Programs, News Gathering and Special Events. During his tenure, he was responsible for content and newsgathering across a variety of programs, including Good Morning America, World News Tonight, Nightline, and 20/20.

“Journalism and storytelling are what CBS News does the best,” Cibrowski said. “There is simply no one better. I’m beyond thrilled to be returning to this iconic and unmatched organization and can’t wait to hit the ground running.”

In the role, Cibrowski will report to CBS News and Television Stations and CBS Media Ventures President and CEO Wendy McMahon.

“Tom brings a clear vision, fresh perspective, and competitive edge that will serve us well here at CBS News,” said McMahon. “From bringing GMA to #1 to his vast international experience, I have no doubt he will lead CBS News to new heights. He will be instrumental to our mission to elevate the quality of our news coverage and strengthen our commitment to excellence.”

The move marks a return to CBS News for Tom Cibrowski. He had previously served as a broadcast producer for the CBS Early Show. He was producing the program with Bryant Gumbel anchoring the show during the 9/11 attacks. He has received multiple Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Awards for his work during his long tenure in broadcast television.

Most recently, Cibrowski was working as the President and General Manager of KGO-TV in San Francisco. He steps into the role vacated when Adrienne Roark departed the network after just six months to work at broadcast television giant TEGNA.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Pete Distad Named New CEO of Fox’s Upcoming Streaming Platform

BSM Staff
-
0
Pete Distad Named New CEO of Fox’s Upcoming Streaming Platform

FOX has announced that former Venu CEO Pete Distad will now lead its recently unveiled direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform. In an announcement shared Thursday morning, FOX confirmed that Distad will transition to the company after serving as an executive with Apple for a decade and spending six years at Hulu before his time at Venu.

Moving forward, Distad will serve as CEO of the still-unnamed DTC streaming platform, which will include channels from FOX News, FOX Sports, and the FOX broadcast network. This move highlights FOX’s continued investment in expanding its digital presence and providing more streaming options for viewers.

As he takes on this new role, Distad will report directly to Paul Cheesbrough, chief executive officer of Tubi Media Group. Cheesbrough expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, emphasizing Distad’s leadership and industry expertise.

“Pete is a proven leader with deep experience in consumer products, and we’re thrilled to have him join the team to lead this new platform,” said Cheesbrough. “His track record of innovation, execution, and building world-class streaming products speaks for itself, and we’re confident that under his leadership, we will deliver a best-in-class service that showcases FOX’s premium content and brands.”

Previously, Distad’s role with Venu Sports ended due to legal pressure from Fubo, DirecTV, and Echostar, which ultimately prevented the sports-focused streaming service from officially launching. However, his extensive background in the streaming industry positions him well to lead FOX’s new venture.

“I’m excited to bring FOX’s leading sports, news, and entertainment content to audiences outside the traditional pay-TV bundle for the first time via an all-new streaming platform,” Distad said. “Working closely with our content, distribution, and platform partners, we’re going to build and grow a differentiated viewing experience for consumers to access their favorite FOX programming.”

Most recently Fox execs announced on its recent earnings call, the company expects DTC subscription streaming product by the end of 2025. Yet no details about price, official launch date or content lineup have been announced. Moreover full details about the FOX DTC streaming platform will be announced at a later date, according to the company.

FOX Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including FOX News Media, FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment, FOX Television Stations, and Tubi Media Group.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

iHeartMedia Answers FCC Chair Brendon Carr’s Payola Inquiry

BMM Staff
-
0
iHeartMedia Answers FCC Chair Brendon Carr’s Payola Inquiry

iHeartMedia has responded to FCC Chairman Brandon Carr’s inquiry regarding the iHeartCountry Festival and any potential payola violations.

The question arises from the relationship between artists and iHeart and whether performing or not performing impacted artists’ spins across the company’s footprint.

Carr’s inquiry followed an FCC advisory earlier this year regarding sponsorship identification rules and “covert manipulation” of airplay in exchange for promotion or artist performances.”

In a statement obtained and first published by Radio Ink, iHeartMedia said:

We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s interest in ensuring the radio industry is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations and will be responding expeditiously to the specific questions posed in the Chairman’s letter about iHeart’s upcoming Country Festival.

The Commission’s recent Enforcement Advisory to the radio industry as a whole stated that manipulating airplay based on artist participation in station events without proper disclosure violates federal laws.

We look forward to demonstrating to the Commission how performing at the iHeartCountry Festival – or declining to do so – has no bearing on our stations’ airplay, and we do not make any overt or covert agreements about airplay with artists performing at our events.

The iHeartCountry Festival provides the same kind of promotion that we see with artists on talk shows, late night television, the Super Bowl, and in digital music performances and events: the promotional value to the artists is the event itself, and, in our case, is unrelated to our radio airplay. We’re very proud that over the years we’ve had artists ask us to be a part of the iHeartCountry Festival, and in fact we’ve had artists make repeat appearances over the years because it is an important event that enables them to reach our audiences and enhance their careers.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Joe DeCamara: Paul George ‘May Value the Podcast More Than Being the Player’

BSM Staff
-
0

Shortly before the Philadelphia 76ers dropped their ninth consecutive game on Wednesday night in a matchup against the New York Knicks, forward Paul George had revealed that he was going to be pausing his Podcast P venture to focus more on his body, mental state and helping the group. The team currently sits outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, and with time dwindling to salvage the season, George has made the decision to pause the show. George is in the first season of a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers, and SportsRadio 94WIP morning host Joe DeCamara prefaced a soundbite of the forward talking on the podcast by articulating that it was not a joke.

Once the audio played, laughter ensued within the studio, and a show contributor wondered if this could have taken place because of a statement by someone else suggesting that George should stop the podcast. George had stated a few days earlier that the team did not display any signs of being a team that would compete, nor did the group have habits of a playoff team or championship contender. Although DeCamara acknowledged that players have the right to have creative outlets and express their opinions, he expounded on the fact that the situation with George involves more than just the forum.

“The problem with Paul George the player isn’t that he does a podcast,” DeCamara said on Thursday’s edition of the 94WIP Morning Show. “The [problem] with Paul George the player may be that he may value the podcast more than being the player – that’s one – but the main problem [is] he just didn’t try hard enough. He didn’t try hard enough, and he’s old and he’s banged up, and he’s not that good anymore. You can be a successful podcaster, as many are as active players. Listen, Darius Slay is around the same age – Darius Slay was rocking a podcast. You know what he did? He balled out this year. Played really good football.”

Morning show co-host Jon Ritchie pointed out that there were numerous occurrences where the ball was inbounded to an open player that was supposed to be guarded by George. In fact, he acknowledged that this was the situation most of the time when these mishaps took place. George is currently averaging 16.4 points per game, which would mark his lowest total since his second season in the league while playing for the Indiana Pacers. Furthermore, he has missed nearly two-thirds of 76ers games this season with a variety of injuries.

“Watch five minutes – I know it’s demanding to pull that out of yourself because there’s so much animosity toward that whole group – but anyway, he’s always one step behind,” Ritchie said. “Defensively, it feels as though he doesn’t know who he’s got, where he’s supposed to be. It’s this haplessness defensively, and it doesn’t seem like anyone else really cares that much either, but he’s like the leader in the clubhouse in terms of defensive haplessness.”

“That, to me, is the hallmark of, ‘You’re not trying hard enough,’” DeCamara replied, “because he’s been around long enough to know what to do, to know what to do, but he doesn’t bust his ass.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

SiriusXM Adam Schein: Mike Francesa Had A Replacement Plan For Me

BSM Staff
-
0
SiriusXM Adam Schein: Mike Francesa Had A Replacement Plan For Me

Former WFAN afternoon drive host Mike Francesa had an idea about how he wanted to plan his eventual exit from the station over ten years ago. SiriusXM radio host Adam Schein appeared on the Marchand Sports Media podcast this week and revealed that he had a dinner meeting with Francesa in 2014 to discuss a potential succession plan. According to Schein, Francesa envisioned him as his replacement on the New York sports talk powerhouse.

Schein, the morning host of Schein on Sports on Mad Dog Sports Radio, recalled being asked by Francesa to meet and discuss the plan.

“Mike and I had a meeting in 2014,” Schein explained. “He called me and said, ‘I want to go over a potential plan that includes you replacing me.’”

The SiriusXM host recounted how Francesa wanted to meet at a local establishment, which happened to be in the same building as the SiriusXM studios. Notably, this meeting followed Francesa’s infamous interview with then-New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, in which A-Rod repeatedly denied purchasing or using PEDs after Major League Baseball handed down a year-long suspension.

“So I go in, and I’m talking to Felix, who’s the big maître d’ there, and Scott Goulds, who was the GM,” Schein recalled. “Then they asked me, ‘Do you have a reservation?’ I said, ‘I’m meeting Mike Francesa.’ Then Felix goes, ‘You’re the special guest Mike told me about?’ And I’m like, great.”

He then went on to describe how Francesa laid out his vision for Schein to succeed him at WFAN, calling it a “surreal” conversation.

“That was crazy, and that was intoxicating,” Schein of SiriusXM said.

Francesa ultimately retired from WFAN’s afternoon drive slot twice—once in 2017 and again in 2019. He now hosts The Mike Francesa Podcast via the BetRivers Network. Francesa began working at WFAN in August of 1987 beginning with a weekend program discussing college football and basketball, leading eventually to be paired with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo in 1989. Mike and The Mad Dog was a staple of WFAN from 1989 to 2008, when Russo announced his departure for SiriusXM.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Cumulus Media Posts 2.1% Revenue Decline in 2024

BNM Staff
-
0
Cumulus Media Posts 2.1% Revenue Decline in 2024

Cumulus Media has released its 2024 financial results and while the total revenue for the company was down, there was growth in other areas that the company found encouraging.

In total, the company featured $827.1 million in revenue during 2024. That represents a year-over-year decline of 2.1%.

Digital revenue accounted for 19% of total revenue for Cumulus last year, finishing with $154.2 million. The 5.3% year-over-year increase was accompanied by a 27% growth in digital marketing services. The strong finish in the digital sector can be attributed to the Cumulus Podcast Network ending 2024 as one of the top podcast networks overall. The company added that its digital marketing pacing for the first quarter of 2025 is up 30%.

“Though the industry environment remains challenging for now, our 2024 refinancing efforts provided us with the time needed to both execute our day-to-day blocking and tackling and, in parallel, continue to reimagine the ways in which we can get the most out of our key assets to create new revenue streams and build additional long-term value,” said Cumulus Media President and CEO Mary Berner.

Overall, Cumulus reported a net loss of $283.3 million during the year. It did execute actions that resulted in $43 million of annual reductions, with $28 million of those savings being realized in 2025. The Adjusted EBITDA was $82.7 in 2024 compared to $90.7 million in 2023.

“Since the pandemic’s onset, the radio industry has experienced tough economic and secular headwinds,” Berner added. “In the face of those, we outperformed our peers through the end of 2023 on key metrics including cost takeouts, EBITDA margin recovery, free cash flow generation, net leverage, and liquidity.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

1...778779780...2,607Page 779 of 2,607